Reproducibility of indoor environment characteristics obtained in a walk through questionnaire. A pilot study

Walk through questionnaires may be feasible tools to obtain data on the indoor environment in community studies. However, limited information is available regarding the reproducibility of the data obtained through these questionnaires. In this pilot study, two construction engineering students inspected ten dwellings twice by means of a standardized walk through questionnaire. The two engineering students inspected the dwellings independent of each other within two months. Time between the two visits varied between 14 and 40 days. The variables presented were based on information from the residents and inspection. The continuous variables recorded included number of rooms in the dwellings, room volume, length of filled shelves and textile area. The inter- and intra-observed variabilities were poorer for number of rooms and shelf factor than for the other variables. For the 3 of the 9 categorical variables based on inspection, the inter-observer comparison showed complete agreement with a kappa statistics of 1.0, these variables being condition of the window frames and construction of outside walls and roof. One of the categorical variables showed a kappa statistics of < 0.5, these variables being presence of basement and presence of condensation at windows. This study indicates a wide variation in observer variability between various items of a walk through questionnaire. Clear definitions of all the parts of the questionnaire are needed, as well as thorough training of observers.     

Landscape, race and memory: biographical mapping of the routes of British Asian landscape values

In this paper the migration routes of British Asian women living in London are examined. It is shown that British Asians connect with a myriad of landscapes abroad, including East Africa, India and Pakistan. These connections to past landscapes are mapped and considered here as valued environments of British Asian women in Britain. Through the mapping of their biographies, it is apparent that memories of other landscapes are embedded in environmental practices in Britain, therefore contributing to making the landscape in Britain inclusive and meaningful in the context of the South Asian migration. The maps of migration show the heterogeneity of landscapes experienced by the British Asian women. Memories of other lands manifest themselves in the UK. The effect of these memories on the South Asian home itself in the process of shaping diasporic geographies of belonging and being within the UK is illustrated.     

Environmental Implications of Treatment of Coastal Sewage Discharges

The environmental implications of implementing the requirement for treatment of coastal sewage prior to discharge, which were put forward in an EC draft Directive on municipal waste-water treatment, are examined. In order to establish the current situation, the results of a national survey of coastal and estuarine sewage discharges are presented. A review of the impact of sewage discharges on the marine environment is presented in conjunction with an assessment of the impact of sewage-treatment processes on the land and in the air. These aspects are integrated into overall conclusions about net environmental impact. Finally, a decision-tree approach to the assignment of priority to additional action required at individual locations is developed.     

Indoor air quality in the 21st century: search for excellence

Field studies demonstrate that there are substantial numbers of dissatisfied people in many buildings, among them those suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms, even though existing standards and guidelines are met. The reason is that the requirements specified in these standards are rather low, allowing a substantial group of people to become dissatisfied and to be adversely affected. A paradigm shift from rather mediocre to excellent indoor environments is foreseen in the 21st century. Based on existing information and on new research results, five principles are suggested as elements behind a new philosophy of excellence: 1) better indoor air quality increases productivity and decreases SBS symptoms; 2) unnecessary indoor pollution sources should be avoided; 3) the air should be served cool and dry to the occupants; 4) "personalized air", i.e. a small amount of clean air, should be served gently, close to the breathing zone of each individual; and 5) individual control of the thermal environment should be provided. These principles of excellence are compatible with energy efficiency and sustainability.     

Semi-volatile organic compounds in the Campaspe River system (Victoria, Australia)

The levels of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the Campaspe River system, North Central Victoria, Australia, were monitored from January to September 1995, and the environmental trends and sources of these compounds were determined. The land use within particular catchments dictated the complexity of the SVOCs in run-off water. Run-off from native forest contained the greatest number of SVOCs. Soil and ground litter were shown to contain the greatest complexity of SVOCs, mostly terpenes. However, only a small proportion were leached by run-off with the remainder being tightly bound to the soil or volatilizing to the atmosphere. Under the prevailing drought of early 1995, the rivers contained no detectable SVOCs until the first catchment run-off after significant rainfall in May. The maximum complexity and concentration of the SVOCs coincided with extensive run-off after heavy rainfall in June, effecting a surge of SVOCs with the flood peak. Fatty acids, their amides and hydrocarbons made up the majority of the compounds identified and were in the 1-39 micrograms/l concentration range. The levels then diminished as the catchment was flushed by continual run-off. These results support Lake's 1967 hypothesis that natural floodwaters contain a signature of SVOCs entering from the catchment. The downstream passage of these compounds was obstructed by a man-made storage, Lake Eppalock, with only low concentrations of SVOCs (1-3 micrograms/l) in the outflow, displaying no correlation to run-off.     

An experimental determination of combustibility

The author describes a laboratory method for determining ignitability, rate of heat release, and total heat release as a measure of the combustibility of materials. The results may be applied to building design and designation of contents with an eye towards reducing the possibility of a major fire. Note: Professor Smith is Director of Chemical Engineering Research, Engineering Experiment Station, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.     

THE EFFECTS OF IMPROVING SEWAGE SLUDGE DIGESTION

A model was developed and tested to investigate the effects of various parameters on the processing costs of anaerobic digestion. The model was based on empirical data collected from full-scale plants which varied in size from 35,000 to 900,000 population equivalents. (Equivalent to loading rates of 0.5 to 2.7 kg VS/m³/d.) In spite of different operating regimes and conditions of the plants analysed, various relationships were discovered between: sludge quality and volatile solids destruction; sludge quality and biogas yield; and, effluent volatile solids and dewatering. Where correlations existed, these were used to make predictions on operating costs of the digestion and dewatering plant based on sensitivity analysis. The results of the model were used to make recommendations on how to optimise the operation of an anaerobic digestion plant.     

Design Water Levels in Tidal River Systems under the Influence of Typhoons

Water levels in tidal rivers are subject to the influence of both fluvial and tidal factors. The interaction between these factors is rendered more complex in regions affected by typhoons, which typically result in the combined occurrence of heavy rainfall and high sea levels.
Previous studies have outlined an analytical approach for calculating design water levels based on dividing the fluvial and tidal series into a typhoon and a non-typhoon component. This paper illustrates the steps involved in the analytical approach and describes its application to drainage basins in Hong Kong.
The approach provides a practical means for calculating design water levels, and is recommended for final design purposes. The results of using the full analysis may be approximated by using a sub-set of analytical results, and should prove satisfactory for the purposes of outline design.